i dont dig peat

Peat is widely used in gardening. It is used in multi-purpose composts and is excellent for retaining moisture and creating an effective medium for growing plants. It retains fertiliser well and is cheap. That's why 24 million wheelbarrows of the stuff are used each year by amateur gardeners.


But. Removing peat from peat bogs releases carbon dioxide into the air and degrades fragile and valuable wildlife habitats. It's the wrong thing to do, and no matter how inconvenient, we must stop using it.

This does create problems. Peat free alternatives cost more. They are extremely variable and we have used many over the years. We know how disappointing it is when plants fail to thrive due to being planted in a poor growing medium.

But, our practice must change. Using peat-based products is not compatible with being an organic gardener.

So, we're delighted to sign up for the garden organic peat free 'I don't dig peat' campaign.


I'm delighted too that our allotment association supports the campaign by offering peat free potting compost to its members.

Followers of this blog will know that we have an immense challenge ahead of us at Cordwood: six acres of land that has been neglected for twenty years that we want to transform into a beautiful garden. I am pleased to say that this transformation will not include peat.

So far, only 37 people have signed 'the pledge' in our great county of Nottinghamshire.


So .... 'Come on now people, let's get on the ball and work together'. Wilbert Harrison